Method for processing noise interference in data accessing device with serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface

ABSTRACT

A method for processing noise interference in a serial AT Attachment (SATA) interface. In the method, when a receiver does not receive a SOF primitive (start of frame primitive) but does receive an EOF primitive (end of frame primitive) or WTRM primitive (wait for frame termination primitive), the receiver outputs a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) and sets a error flag to report to the application layer of the receiver to eliminate the interference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/070,148, filed on 3 Mar. 2005, and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120; and this application claims priority of Application No. 093112284 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on 30 Apr. 2004 under 35 U.S.C. §119; the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for processing noise interference, and more particularly to a method for processing noise interference in a serial AT Attachment (SATA) interface according to the error condition in a receiver.

2. Description of the Related Art

The serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, hereinafter referred to as SATA) is an interface specification commonly promoted by the companies of APT, Dell, IBM, Intel, Maxtor, Seagate, etc. The SATA specification is applied to the transmission interface of a hard disk drive or an optical disk drive to replace parallel ATA/ATAPI interface that has been used for a long time. The SATA interface specification specifies two pairs of differential signal lines to replace the original 40 or 80 signal lines connected in parallel. Serializing the original data can reduce the size and voltage and increase the speed. The specification also introduces some new functions, such as flow control and error resending, to control the data stream in a simple way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing communication layers in the SATA specification. As shown in FIG. 1, the SATA interface connects a host 11 to a device 12. The device 12 may be an optical storage device or a hard disk drive, or other devices with the SATA interface. The communication layers in the SATA specification include four layers, which are respectively a first layer (physical layer), a second layer (link layer), a third layer (transport layer) and a fourth layer (application layer). The physical layer is responsible for converting digital and analog signals. That is, the physical layer receives and converts a digital signal sent from the link layer into an analog signal and sends the analog signal to the other end. The physical layer also receives and converts the analog signal, which comes from the other end, into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the link layer. The link layer encodes and decodes the digital data. That is, the link layer encodes the data coming from the transport layer and outputs the encoded data to the physical layer. On the other hand, the link layer decodes the data coming from the physical layer and outputs the decoded data to the transport layer. The transport layer constructs and deconstructs the FIS (Frame Information Structure). The detailed definition of the FIS can be found in the SATA specification. The application layer is in charge of buffer memory and DMA engine(s).

During the serializing process, the sending device converts the parallel data (e.g., data in bytes or words) into a serial bit data stream. In addition to the typical data, the SATA specification defines some data control codes with four bytes, which are referred to as primitives, for controlling the sending and power management of the sending device and the receiving device. For example, a X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive) represents that the sending device is ready to send the data, and a R_RDY primitive (receiver ready primitive) represents that the receiving device is ready to receive data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a packet sent through the SATA interface. Two devices communicate with each other to send the packet according to the X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive) and the R_RDY primitive (receiver ready primitive). Then, the sending side sends a packet content, which is packed by a SOF primitive (start of frame) and an EOF primitive (End of frame). After the the packet content is sent completely, the sending side sends a WTRM primitive (wait for frame termination primitive). If there is no any error about the CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) check in the link, the receiving side responds with a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) after it receives the WTRM primitive. If there is an error about the CRC check, the receiving side responds with R_ERR primitive (reception error).

In addition to the above-mentioned primitives, the specification further provides a HOLD primitive (hold data transmission primitive) and a HOLDA primitive (hold acknowledge primitive) for the flow control. The transmitter can output the HOLD primitive when it cannot transmit data temporarily, and the receiver responds with the HOLDA primitive. Alternatively, the receiver can output the HOLD primitive when it cannot receive the data, and the transmitter has to stop transmitting data and to transmit the HOLDA primitive so as to avoid data loss after it has received the HOLD primitive. FIG. 3 shows an example of using the HOLD primitive and the HOLDA primitive.

However, if the SOF primitive is interfered by the noise during the transmission such that the receiver cannot recognize the SOF primitive, the receiver continuously outputs the R_RDY Primitive. Hence, because the transmitter does not know that the receiver does not receive the SOF primitive, the transmitter transmits the rest of data until the WTRM primitive is sent. Because the receiver does not receive the SOF primitive, the receiver responds with a SYNC primitive (synchronization primitive) when the receiver receives the data. After the transmitter receives the synchronous primitive, the system will halt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for processing noise interference, in which a receiver outputs a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) to process the noise interference.

To achieve the above-mentioned object, the method of the invention for processing noise interference includes the steps of: enabling a receiver to output a R_RDY primitive (receiver data ready primitive) after the receiver has received a X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive); enabling the receiver to output a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) and setting an error flag to report to an application layer of the receiver when the receiver has detected a EOF primitive (end of frame primitive) before the receiver has detected a SOF primitive (start of frame primitive); and enabling the receiver to receive data after the SOF primitive is detected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing communication layers in the SATA specification according to the related art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a FIS sent through the SATA interface according to the related art.

FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration showing a FIS sent through the SATA interface according to the related art.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for processing noise interference according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein a HOLD primitive is issued to process the noise interference.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for processing noise interference according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein a R_ERR primitive is issued to process the noise interference.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method for processing noise interference according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein a R_ERR primitive is issued to process the noise interference.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the step S614.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for processing the interference according to a first embodiment of the invention. The method for processing the interference utilizes a HOLD primitive to process the interference. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for processing interference according to a second embodiment of the invention. The method for processing the interference utilizes a R_ERR primitive to process the interference. The methods of the invention for processing the interference will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Step S402 is to detect whether the transport layer requests the data transmission. When the transport layer does not request the data transmission, the step is repeated. If the transport layer requests the data transmission, the procedure jumps to a next step (Step S408).

Step S408 is to output a X_RDY Primitive and to output a SOF primitive after a R_RDY primitive is received. Then, the procedure jumps to step S410.

Step S410 is to check whether the data transmission is finished. If the data transmission is completed, the procedure jumps to step S420; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S412.

Step S412 is to detect whether an error exists. The so-called error means the 8b/10b decoding error, the 8b/10b disparity error, that the received primitive cannot be recognized, or the physical layer error. When there is an error occurred, the procedure jumps to step S416; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S414.

Step S414 is to output data and then the procedure jumps back to step S410.

Step S416 is to output a HOLD primitive, and then the procedure jumps back to step S410.

Step S420 is to output an EOF primitive and a WTRM primitive.

Step S422 is the ending.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned steps, a HOLD primitive will be issued when the receiver has detected an error.

The operation flow of the receiver will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

Step S502 is to detect whether the device in the far end requests to transmit data. When the device in the far end does not request to transmit data, the step is repeated. If it requests the data transmission, the procedure jumps to a next step (Step S506).

Step S506 is to output a R_RDY primitive and then the procedure jumps to step S508.

Step S508 is to detect whether the X_RDY primitive exists. If the X_RDY primitive is detected, the procedure jumps back to step S506; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S510.

Step S510 is to detect whether the SOF primitive exists. If the SOF primitive is detected, the procedure jumps to step S516; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S512.

Step S512 is to detect whether an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive exists. If any of the two primitives is detected, the procedure jumps to step S514; or otherwise the procedure jumps back to step S506.

Step S514 is to output a R_ERR primitive, and then the procedure jumps to step S530.

Step S516 is to detect whether an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive exists. If one of the two primitives is detected, the procedure jumps to step S518. If both of the two primitives are not detected, the procedure jumps to step S520.

Step S518 is to output a R_OK primitive or a R_ERR primitive, and then the procedure jumps to step S530. If the CRC value calculated according to the received data is not equal to the CRC value transmitted from the other side, the R_ERR primitive is outputted, or otherwise the R_OK primitive is outputted.

Step S520 is to detect whether there is an error. The so-called error means that the 8b/10b decoding error, the decoding/disparity error, or the physical layer error. When there is an error occurred, the procedure jumps to step S524; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S522.

Step S522 is to output a R_IP primitive (reception in progress primitive) and then the procedure jumps back to step S516.

Step S524 is to output a HOLD primitive and then the procedure jumps back to step S516.

Step S530 is the ending.

According to the above-mentioned steps, when the receiver receives an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive before the SOF primitive is received, it represents that the SOF primitive is interfered by the noise and cannot be recognized by the receiver. So, the receiver outputs the R_ERR primitive after it receives the EOF primitive or the WTRM primitive. Thus, the transmitter resends data after it receives the R_ERR primitive. It is possible to avoid the dead lock condition between the receiver and the transmitter, and the function of avoiding errors may be achieved.

The above-identified embodiment provides a method using the R_ERR primitive to notify the transmitter of an error occurred through the physical layer. Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described in avoiding the dead lock condition between the receiver and the transmitter, wherein the receiver does not notify the transmitter of the error occurred, instead, the receiver sets an error flag. Referring to FIG. 6, the operation flow of the receiver is described with reference to FIG. 6.

Step S602 is to detect whether the device in the far end requests to transmit data. When the device in the far end does not request to transmit data, the step is repeated. If it requests the data transmission, the procedure jumps to a next step (Step S606).

Step S606 is to output a R_RDY primitive and then the procedure jumps to step S608.

Step S608 is to detect whether the X_RDY primitive exists. If the X_RDY primitive is detected, the procedure jumps back to step S606; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S610.

Step S610 is to detect whether the SOF primitive exists. If the SOF primitive is detected, the procedure jumps to step S616; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S612.

Step S612 is to detect whether an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive exists. If any of the two primitives is detected, the procedure jumps to step S614; or otherwise the procedure jumps back to step S606.

Step S614 is to output a R_OK primitive and to set an error flag to report to the application layer of the receiver, and then the procedure jumps to step S630. Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the step S614. In FIG. 7, a host (the transmitter) 71 and a device (the receiver) 72 are illustrated. When the receiver 72 receives an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive and did not receive SOF primitive before, the receiver 72 first responds the R_OK primitive to the host (transmitter) 72 to finish the handshaking, and then the link layer of the receiver 72 issue an error flag so that the application layer of the receiver 72 can set the error flag at the error register of the ATA task file register. Since the error flag is set in the receiver 72, the application layer of the receiver 72 is advised of the loss of the transmission data, so that the application layer of the receiver 72 can determine the post-process, such as to abort the transmission or to send an instruction to request the transmitter to resend the transmission data.

Step S616 is to detect whether an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive exists. If one of the two primitives is detected, the procedure jumps to step S618. If both of the two primitives are not detected, the procedure jumps to step S620.

Step S618 is to output a R_OK primitive or a R_ERR primitive, and then the procedure jumps to step S630. If the CRC value calculated according to the received data is not equal to the CRC value transmitted from the other side, the R_ERR primitive is outputted, or otherwise the R_OK primitive is outputted.

Step S620 is to detect whether there is an error. The so-called error means that the 8b/10b decoding error, the decoding/disparity error, or the physical layer error. When there is an error occurred, the procedure jumps to step S624; or otherwise the procedure jumps to step S622.

Step S622 is to output a R_IP primitive (reception in progress primitive) and then the procedure jumps back to step S616.

Step S624 is to output a HOLD primitive and then the procedure jumps back to step S616.

Step S630 is the ending.

According to the above-mentioned steps, when the receiver receives an EOF primitive or a WTRM primitive before the SOF primitive is received, it represents that the SOF primitive is interfered by the noise and cannot be recognized by the receiver. So, the receiver outputs the R_OK primitive and sets the error flag after it receives the EOF primitive or the WTRM primitive. Thus, the dead lock condition between the receiver and the transmitter is avoided, and the receiver can determine the follow-up process for the lost transmission data.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for processing noise interference in a data accessing device with a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface, the method comprising the steps of: enabling a receiver to output a R_RDY primitive (receiver data ready primitive) after the receiver has received a X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive); enabling the receiver to output a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) and setting an error flag to report to an application layer of the receiver when the receiver has detected a EOF primitive (end of frame primitive) before the receiver has detected a SOF primitive (start of frame primitive); and enabling the receiver to receive data after the SOF primitive is detected.
 2. A method for processing noise interference in a data accessing device with a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface, the method comprising the steps of: enabling a receiver to output a R_RDY primitive (receiver data ready primitive) after the receiver has received a X_RDY primitive (transmission data ready primitive); and enabling the receiver to output a R_OK primitive (reception with no error primitive) and setting an error flag to report to a application layer of the receiver when a WTRM primitive (wait for frame termination primitive) is detected before the receiver has detected a SOF primitive (start of frame primitive). 